Wednesday, July 16, 2008

MEEN POLLICHATHU

Meen pollichathu ,a kerala delicacy in which a fish is coated with a spicy masala paste, then covered and cooked in a banana leaf. This will keep the fish moist and flaky .All the juices will be trapped inside the leaf and injected into the fish.The flavor of the leaf will also accent the taste of the dish.

I dont get banana leaves here so i had to compromise some of the flavor by using auminium foil.But if u get hold of the leaves by all means use it cause thats the best.So here goes the recipe.

I am sending this to Sangeeths Eat healthy - protein rich contest.

(Pardon me for the bad photos..took it in a big hurry as i just couldnt resist the aroma :D)


INGREDIENTS

For marinating fish:-

Tilapia - 2 fillets
turmeric - 1 tsp
salt

For masala:-

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
garlic - 1 tsp , freshly chopped
ginger - 1 tsp , freshly chopped
onions - 1 cup, chopped fine
green chilies - 3 slit
tomato - 1 chopped fine
tamarind conc - 1 tsp or according to ur taste
turmeric pdr - 1 tsp
red chilli pdr - 1 tsp
coriander pdr - 1 tsp
curry leaves - 1 sprig
cilantro - a bunch
salt and pepper

Aluminum foil or banana leaf

METHOD

Mix turmeric and salt together and apply it evenly on the fish on both sides and leave it aside for 15-20 mins.

Heat some oil in a pan.Put curry leaves,ginger,garlic,green chillies and onions.Saute them until the onions are soft.Add salt,tamarind concentrate,turmeric pdr,black pepper and red chilli pdr.Add tomatoes and saute them until tomatoes are cooked.Sprinkle water if the gravy gets too dry.Check salt add cilantro.Keep it aside and let it cool down.

Take the aluminum foil.Put some masala in the center.Place the fish on top and put some generous amount of the masala on top of it as shown in the pic above.Fold the foil and seal the edges.

Heat a tawa or grill on medium-high flame.When it gets sizzling hot place the fish covered in foil on top.Cook for 5 mins on each side.Fish is very delicate and cooks very fast.

Serve immediately with rice.

15 comments:

@the_whisk_affair said...

droool droool!!! OMG, that sure looks delicious, Ranji!! I appreciate ur idea of making it in a foil instead of banana leaf! it looks moist, flaky and reeeeal tasty! iw ish i cud have some NOW!

Unknown said...

Moist, flaky and yummy,mmmmm, you really made me crave for this one ranji:( ;)

Cham said...

Covered with foil locked the moisture and came out well, superb the fish Ranji, Oh u r really tempting me to eat fish for breakfast, which i won't mind :P

kamala said...

All fav at my home Ranji...I am drooling ...Lovely

KonkaniBlogger said...

I have heard and seen this before, but yours looks just awesome..Just love that masala of urs, yummy..

notyet100 said...

looks delicious,..nice pic too,..

Sum Raj said...

hey my next will be fish fillets recipe...am drooling at this..i dont even need rice fo this...i will have this as it is as a snack item :) ....superb pic...will try this and let u know....

Meera said...

Reminded me of the Parsi delicacy -Patra ni machchi. This kerala version looks equally drool worthy. & you said, you didnt like that picture?? I am just drooling here!!! Wonderful job, Ranji.

Sangeeth said...

looks yummy and sure is healthy...thanks dear for the entry...

Illatharasi said...

Looks delicious.... love your photo angle :)

Andhra Flavors said...

Covered with foil locked the moisture. super ranji.

yummy food said...

Thats amazing!If in a hurry this recipe looks so yummy i am imagining the aroma what it would be if being served with...
really a good yummy post..Hope soon i too can start posting with so dedicated & yummy snaps........:-)

A_and_N said...

Hi Ranjeetha, the method of cooking with the foil is quite interesting! Didnt know that it makes fish cook faster.

ST said...

Hi Ranji, the method of cooking with the foil is very interesting! Pics are drooling drooling.....:)))Thanks for sharing.......

Dori said...

I love all kinds of fish, this is so tempting me to cook some, looks so good!